Could the Affordable Care Act Make the U.S. More Competitive Abroad?
eAlert
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<p>Recent debate about the Trans-Pacific Partnership led The Commonwealth Fund’s David Squires and David Blumenthal, M.D., to consider if, and how, the Affordable Care Act (ACA) might affect U.S. competitiveness abroad. </p><p>In a new blog post, they say there are several ways that could happen. For example, expanding workers’ insurance coverage, and thereby improving their health, could raise productivity. And taming national health spending could free up money for investments in research and infrastructure. </p>
<p>“The problems plaguing our health system are felt beyond the hospital and clinic,” the authors say. “Whatever one thinks of the ACA, U.S. competitiveness would surely benefit from a smarter, stronger health care system.”</p>